Our Staff
Sylvia Holtzhausen, Choose to Wait Author and Director
Born November 29, 1957 in Johannesburg, South Africa,
Sylvia was raised in Port Elizabeth.
She made a commitment to Christ at age 9 during a Vacation Bible School at a local Baptist church near her home. She was discipled and grew in her faith at this church through the youth group.
She received her degree in Biblical studies at University of Port Elizabeth and Higher Education Diploma from University of Pretoria. Sylvia taught high school for 8 years. She was involved with Youth For Christ Pretoria where her husband Jos served as Director.
Sylvia met her husband in high school at a Youth For Christ group. They have been in ministry together for 30+ years. Jos and Sylvia have two adult children: Jessica and Ann-Marie.
They started Christ's Hope International to focus on the AIDS pandemic in Africa with a tri-fold mission: teach prevention using the Choose to Wait curriculum; care for orphans and vulnerable children; provide care and compassion with those dying of or affected by HIV and AIDS.
Helen Crown, Choose to Wait - USA Country Coordinator
Helen Crown comes to the Choose to Wait USA ministry with a strong background in Christian service and ministry. She serves with the Alternative Answers to Abortion Pregnancy Resource Center in Livonia, Michigan, as Board President and client mentor. She is co-founder and Board Vice-President of the Michigan Association for Sexual Health, a group dedicated to unifying and empowering individuals and organizations which promote sexual health and the prevention of risky behaviors in youth. She is a State of Michigan certified Sexuality and HIV and AIDS Educator.
Over the last five years Helen has worked in several concurrent positions as a presenter and teacher, educating both youth and adults on issues involving God's plan for marriage, sexuality and gender. Believing that parents must be the primary educators and influencers over their children's worldview of sexuality, she seeks to equip parents in educating their children on issues pertaining to sexual purity and healthy relationships. She has written and developed church curriculum on a number of subjects, from Scripture understanding to leadership development.
Helen is a former United States Army Officer and holds a Master of Christian Education from Michigan Theological seminary. She makes her home in Plymouth Michigan with her husband and two teenage children.
You may contact Helen by email at helen@ctwusa.org or by phone at
734.718.2877.
